MIAMI — The MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) will install MIAMI Young Professionals Network (MIAMI YPN) President Darnell Aponte C2EX, PSA, SRS, CRS, ABS at its Inaugural & Awards Celebration on Friday, Feb. 6 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Former Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez will be the keynote speaker. Register: MiamiRealtors.com/Inaugural
“MIAMI YPN is about people, service, and creating space for others to grow,” Aponte said. “Our focus is on bringing people with us, building the next generation of leaders, and continuing the work that strengthens our profession and our community.”
MIAMI YPN, a two-time winner of the National Association of Realtors’ Top YPN Network award, provides value and mentorship to young Realtors unlike any other Realtor group in the U.S. MIAMI YPN has won NAR’s Top YPN Network two times (2017, 2021) and was the starting place for leadership for the 2022 Florida Realtors President Christina Pappas and 2027 Florida Realtors President Jorge Guerra Jr. – two longtime MIAMI leaders and former MIAMI YPN Presidents.
Aponte: Community Leader Leads MIAMI YPN in 2026
Darnell Aponte is the founder of The Aponte Group powered by REAL Broker LLC. Darnell has built a reputation for delivering results while fostering lasting relationships grounded in integrity, transparency, and care.
Raised in South Florida since the age of five, Darnell brings not only a deep knowledge of the region but also a personal passion for helping others call this community home. His journey began in finance as a loan officer, where he developed an insider’s understanding of the lending process—an advantage he now leverages to expertly guide clients through even the most complex transactions.
Darnell’s influence reaches far beyond the closing table. A proven industry trailblazer, he has been twice honored as Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Year by the Miami Association of Realtors (2021, 2023), and recognized by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as a “40 Under 40” Young Professional. He was named one of the Top 20 Under 40 Realtors by the Miami Association in 2020, and holds prestigious certifications including Seller Representative Specialist, Pricing Strategy Advisor, Accredited Buyer’s Representative, and Commitment to Excellence by the National Association of Realtors.
Darnell proudly represents young professionals nationwide as a member of the National Association of Realtors’ Federal Technology Policy Committee. His leadership within the Florida Association of Realtors, including as a State Director and Governor of the Miami YPN Board (2021–2025), reflects a career rooted in service and advocacy at the highest levels.
Darnell is on the NAR YPN Advisory Board for 2026-27 and he is in the Florida REALTORS® 2026 Leadership Academy class.
Deeply connected to his community, Darnell champions local initiatives such as Feeding South Florida and the Miami Diaper Bank, donating both time and resources to causes that matter. His core values—faith, family, and, business—inform every decision, and his commitment to empowering others is evident in every client experience, mentorship, and legislative conversation he leads.
Whether he’s mentoring the next generation of Realtors, advocating for housing affordability in Tallahassee, or hosting one of South Florida’s most successful open houses, Darnell Aponte leads with purpose—and always delivers with heart.
Announcing the 2026 MIAMI YPN Board
Joining Aponte are: YPN President-Elect Rolando A. Ramirez of Keller Williams Eagle Realty; 2025 YPN President Simo Labriti , AHWD, SFR of Keller Williams Elite Properties; Broward YPN Chair Tara Carter HFRC, ABR, SRS, CRS of REAL Broker, LLC; JTHS-MIAMI YPN Chair Daniela Rivera of Luxe Properties; Bowie Chu of eXp Realty; Karena Clarke ABR, SRS of Elite Realty Partners, Inc.; Antonio Correa of One Sotheby’s International Realty; Elizabeth Coto CRS, SRS of One Sotheby’s International Realty; Ashley Gonzalez, MSIRE of RESF; Edward Guiardinu of Luxe Properties; Calli Henley of Luxe Properties LLC; Marlene Llamas Leon AHWD, C2EX, PSA, CIPS, PMN, ABR, CRS of LPT Realty; Alejandro Nunez C2EX of Keller Williams International Lifestyles; Raul Pino of The Hype Real Estate Group; Kayla Revelus e-PRO®, RENE, ABR of EXP Realty LLC; Karla Rodriguez-Florido of RE/MAX Advance Realty; Ashley Silva, C2EX of Coldwell Banker Realty; Marcelo Steinmander of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty; Karen Trivino SRS, C2EX of Pini Real Estate; Stephanie Wilson C2EX, ABR, SRS of Coldwell Banker Realty; Denisse Uyema-Dreispiel Luxe Properties LLC.
Kevin Puricelli serves at Senior Vice President YPN for the MIAMI Association of Realtors. Teresa King Kinney, RCE, CAE, CIPS, AHWD, C2EX, RSPS serves as the CEO for the MIAMI Association of Realtors.
About the MIAMI Association of Realtors®
The MIAMI Association of Realtors (MIAMI) was chartered by the National Association of Realtors in 1920 and is celebrating 106 years of service to Realtors, the buying and selling public, and the communities in South Florida. Comprised of six organizations: MIAMI RESIDENTIAL, MIAMI COMMERCIAL; BROWARD-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI Realtors; JTHS-MIAMI, a division of MIAMI Realtors in the Jupiter-Tequesta-Hobe Sound area; MIAMI YPN, our Young Professionals Network Council; and the award-winning MIAMI Global Council. MIAMI REALTORS represents 60,000 total real estate professionals in all aspects of real estate sales, marketing, and brokerage. It is the largest local Realtor association in the U.S. and has official partnerships with 299 international organizations worldwide. MIAMI’s official website is www.MiamiRealtors.com
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